Thursday, December 27, 2007

The time's come to see how the modern world can benefit from a wide global deployment of Underground Coal Gasification. UCG is an energy-producing technology that can bring the value of underground coal seams to the consumer, without the pain and expense of actually mining the coal. There is none of the lunar-like craters of open-cast mining; none of the tailings of underground mines; no ash dams and coal crushing; no trains transporting coal; no lives lost to underground floods, methane explosions, fires, or deadly pneumoconiosis. The enormous energy that was previously locked up and lost in unmined and unminable coal deposits can now be released and delivered to the surface in the clean and convenient form of pure, rich combustible gas. It's a safe, clean, controlled operation with a great variety of industrial applications, and above all, a low, very competitive cost.

As a part of Conserve Wisconsin, Governor Doyle asked the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to investigate Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) technology and its potential for the future of Wisconsin.

IGCC converts coal into gas. The gas is cleaned and then burned in a combined cycle gas turbine power plant. IGCC dramatically reduces air emissions, water use and industrial waste, but there are unanswered questions about the technology’s reliability and cost.

An LLNL research program on Underground Coal Gasification. "Gasification is a process by which coal or other hydrocarbons are converted into a synthesis gas (syngas) at elevated pressures and temperatures, usually in a commercially purchased gasifier. Gasification can be used to create many products (electric power, liquid fuels, hydrogen, synthetic gas) and provides great opportunities for pollution control, especially sulfur, nitrous oxides, and mercury. Underground coal gasification (UCG) converts coal in-situ into a synthesis gas through the same chemical reactions. Because this process gasifies coal at depth under many different geological circumstances, UCG could increase the coal resource available for utilization enormously. A 300-400% increase in coal reserves and even greater increase of gasification is possible...."

"WORLDWIDE coal reserves are vast, over 10 trillion metric tons, but unless cleaner and cheaper ways can be found to convert coal to gas or liquid fuels, coal is unlikely to become an acceptable replacement for dwindling and uncertain supplies of oil and natural gas. Mining coal is dangerous work, coal is dirty to burn, and much of the coal in the ground is too deep or too low in quality to be mined economically. Today, less than one-sixth of the world’s coal is economically accessible. However, Livermore is helping to revive an old technology that offers promise to substantially increase usable coal reserves and make coal a clean and economic alternative fuel. Known as underground coal gasification (UCG), this technology converts coal to a combustible gas underground...."

"Environmental groups are applauding Tuesday's decision by Washington state siting officials to halt consideration of a proposed coal gasification power plant at the Port of Kalama in southwest Washington state near the Oregon border. Members of the state's Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council, EFSEC, unanimously rejected the plan by public power agency Energy Northwest for permanently storing, or sequestering, some of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, CO2, emitted by the power plant as required by state law. ..."

"Coal is the black sheep of the energy family. Uniquely abundant among the fossil fuels, it is also among the worst emitters of greenhouse gases. Mindful of coal's bad reputation, President Bush promised the world three and half years ago that the United States would develop a superclean coal plant in an initiative known as FutureGen. The plant would have zero emissions; even the carbon dioxide it released would be pumped underground...."

"Gilberton Valley, in northeastern Pennsylvania, is so larded with mounds of black rock and dark pits of swampy ooze that it sometimes resembles a volcanic moonscape. The only thing that’s ever come bellowing out of the ground here, however, is hard and shiny anthracite coal. During mining’s heyday in the first half of the 20th century, mining companies hauled the purest anthracite out of the valley by the train load, leaving behind the waste coal — small hunks of anthracite mixed with other rock — in messy, acid-leaching piles everywhere...."

"With oil and natural-gas prices rising and coal in plentiful supply, it's more or less inevitable that coal's going to get used, so it makes sense that (some) enviro organizations are biting the bullet and joining the push for the cleanest possible applications. Coal mining is destructive as hell, but in places like northeastern Pennsylvania..."

Fischer-Tropsch process is a catalyzed chemical reaction in which carbon monoxide and hydrogen are converted into liquid hydrocarbons of various forms. Typical catalysts used are based on iron and cobalt. The principal purpose of this process is to produce a synthetic petroleum substitute, typically from coal or natural gas, for use as synthetic lubrication oil or as synthetic fuel.

Fischer-Tropsch process is a catalyzed chemical reaction in which carbon monoxide and hydrogen are converted into liquid hydrocarbons of various forms. Typical catalysts used are based on iron and cobalt. The principal purpose of this process is to produce a synthetic petroleum substitute, typically from coal or natural gas, for use as synthetic lubrication oil or as synthetic fuel.

Gasification is a process that converts carbonaceous materials, such as coal, petroleum, or biomass, into carbon monoxide and hydrogen by reacting the raw material at high temperatures with a controlled amount of oxygen. The resulting gas mixture is called synthesis gas or syngas and is itself a fuel. Gasification is a very efficient method for extracting energy from many different types of organic materials, and also has applications as a clean waste disposal technique

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored the 2007 World Gasification Survey to accurately describe the current world gasification industry, identify near-term planned capacity additions, and keep the global gasification community apprised of current industry trends and drivers. Based on publicly available information, the survey includes owners/operators of gasification-based power and manufacturing plants, major gasification technology vendors, and suppliers of supporting technologies. Only commercial operating plants with a capacity exceeding 100 megawatts electric equivalent (MWe) were included in order to avoid listing pilot test and temporary facilities as contributors to the commercial experience database. However, all feedstocks—coal, petroleum residues, secondary materials, biomass, and other carbonaceous materials—were included if the facility in question met the minimum capacity requirement.

The gasifier is the main gasification system component. It is a robust pressure vessel where air (or oxygen), water, and a suitable fuel are brought together and heated, stimulating controlled thermal and chemical reactions that yield gaseous process flows made up of synthesis fuel (syngas) products, chiefly carbon monoxide and hydrogen, along with byproducts such as hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and slag (mineral residues from coal). The syngas stream – and extracted steam flow in combined cycle plants – is used to power turbine/generator sets to produce electricity, while the byproducts may be separated, captured, and stored for reuse or for sale as chemicals.

NETL's Gasification Technologies Program supports Research & Development (R&D) in the area of gasification — a process for the conversion of carbon-based materials (feedstocks) such as coal into synthesis gas (syngas) that can be used to produce clean electrical energy, transportation fuels, and chemicals efficiently and cost-effectively using domestic fuel resources.

Coal gasification offers one of the most versatile and clean ways to convert coal into electricity, hydrogen, and other valuable energy products....Rather than burning coal directly, gasification (a thermo-chemical process) breaks down coal - or virtually any carbon-based feedstock - into its basic chemical constituents. In a modern gasifier, coal is typically exposed to hot steam and carefully controlled amounts of air or oxygen under high temperatures and pressures.

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Recently NuVinci bicycle drive-train was awarded Technology Innovation of the Year. What's so special about it? It appears to be ground-breaking, though with design inspiration drawing from no less than Leonardi DaVinci.

Here's what they say: A new way of transmitting mechanical power based on spheres instead of gears. The NuVinci continuously variable planetary (CVP) technology, an innovative new continuously variable transmission (CVT), is not only helping vehicle designers and component manufacturers improve performance, ride quality and capabilities in existing products. Hum, so this means no more dérailleur popping the chain off at inopportune times? And rather than having gearing at discrete settings it can be set to the exact desired ratio. Cool.

I'm afraid the implementation goes over my head a little. The technology relies on transferring power through rotating metal spheres. Somehow by varying the angle of interfacing with the balls it varies the gear ratio. Uhm, okay, yeah, sure, so long as it works I'll be happy.

The web site says right now they're doing this for bicycles but they hope to make the technology for bigger vehicles too.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

If the key critical issue for battery electric vehicles is the battery, the key critical issue for fuel cell vehicles is hydrogen storage. The quantity of hydrogen stored on board directly relates to the range you can drive the vehicle.

"Scientists at the University of Virginia have discovered a new class of hydrogen storage materials that could make the storage and transportation of energy much more efficient — and affordable — through higher-performing hydrogen fuel cells... Bellave S. Shivaram and Adam B. Phillips, the U.Va. physicists who invented the new materials, will present their finding today at the International Symposium on Materials Issues in a Hydrogen Economy"

One way of storing hydrogen is compressed in a high pressure tank. Even at high pressures like 10,000 psi a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle does not meet the 300 mile range and quick recharge requirements most people seem to believe vehicles should do. Another method for storing hydrogen is, rather than a high pressure tank, is to absorb the hydrogen into the crystal structure of a metal. The technique was, to my knowledge, invented by Energy Conversion Devices and derived from the design of the Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery, which they also invented.

“Most materials today absorb only 7 to 8 percent of hydrogen by weight, and only at cryogenic [extremely low] temperatures. Our materials absorb hydrogen up to 14 percent by weight at room temperature. By absorbing twice as much hydrogen, the new materials could help make the dream of a hydrogen economy come true.”

A New, Safer, and Cheaper Material For Storing Hydrogen: This is a large step that just begs for improvements and competitive thinking. I would say that 14% might be workable from a transport point of view for a storage medium, although every jump that includes a low pressure ambient temperature solution with recovery that is low power and not too terribly complex to be hugely beneficial. Another doubling to near 30% by weight would shift the hydrogen economy drive to hydrogen production as its last tough issue for mass adoption. I expect a race to start soon. A milestone of more than 50% by weight would change the fueling dynamic completely as the need for transport of hydrogen cooled and at high pressure would likely disappear.

Press release from U of Virginia: University of Virginia Scientists Discover Record-Breaking Hydrogen Storage Materials for Use in Fuel Cells

Nov. 9, 2007 — Scientists at the University of Virginia have discovered a new class of hydrogen storage materials that could make the storage and transportation of energy much more efficient — and affordable — through higher-performing hydrogen fuel cells.

Bellave S. Shivaram and Adam B. Phillips, the U.Va. physicists who invented the new materials, will present their finding at 8 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12, at the International Symposium on Materials Issues in a Hydrogen Economy at the Omni Hotel in Richmond, Va.

“In terms of hydrogen absorption, these materials could prove a world record,” Phillips said. “Most materials today absorb only 7 to 8 percent of hydrogen by weight, and only at cryogenic [extremely low] temperatures. Our materials absorb hydrogen up to 14 percent by weight at room temperature. By absorbing twice as much hydrogen, the new materials could help make the dream of a hydrogen economy come true.”

In the quest for alternative fuels, U.Va.’s new materials potentially could provide a highly affordable solution to energy storage and transportation problems with a wide variety of applications. They absorb a much higher percentage of hydrogen than predecessor materials while exhibiting faster kinetics at room temperature and much lower pressures, and are inexpensive and simple to produce.

“These materials are the next generation in hydrogen fuel storage materials, unlike any others we have seen before,” Shivaram said. “They have passed every litmus test that we have performed, and we believe they have the potential to have a large impact.”

The inventors believe the novel materials will translate to the marketplace and are working with the U.Va. Patent Foundation to patent their discovery.

“The U.Va. Patent Foundation is very excited to be working with a material that one day may be used by millions in everyday life,” said Chris Harris, senior licensing manager for the U.Va. Patent Foundation. “Dr. Phillips and Dr. Shivaram have made an incredible breakthrough in the area of hydrogen absorption.”

Phillips’s and Shivaram’s research was supported by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.

About the University of Virginia Patent Foundation

The University of Virginia Patent Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation that serves to promote the translation of U.Va. technologies to the global marketplace by evaluating, protecting and licensing intellectual property generated in the course of research at U.Va. The Patent Foundation reviews and evaluates over 150 inventions per year and has generated more than $75 million in licensing revenue since its formation in 1978. For more information about the Patent Foundation, its services or technology transfer, visit www.uvapf.org.